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Mum hosts cycling event to say thanks

A FITNESS instructor from Bromsgrove has held a charity event at the Dolphin Centre to raise money for the hospital that helped her daughter so much.

Tina Ellis' daughter Ella, 14, has a very rare disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a blood disorder affecting the platelets in the body which can cause excessive bruising and bleeding.

"We were shocked when she was first diagnosed and felt like we had to wrap her in cotton wool," said Tina.

"She has had to spend a lot of time in hospital over the past five years and missed a lot of school. She can't do some of the things her friends can do in case she hurts herself and there is a risk of internal bleeding.

"When we went away we always had to know where the nearest hospital was in case we needed to take her there."

Ella is now a lot more stable and enjoying life, and Tina said that if it wasn't for the support they were given by Birmingham Children's Hospital things would be a lot different.

"They have been fantastic and have been with us every step of the way. They have helped us get a new drug which has helped Ella a lot and always been there whenever we needed them."

As well as raising money for the hospital, they also donated to Dreamflight, a charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.

"Ella absolutely loved her trip there," said Tina. "It gave her a breather from hospital life and a chance to be with other children. A team of doctors went along with her and that made us feel better."

Tina organised a marathon spin session at the Dolphin Centre, where she works, in which participants dressed up in fancy dress and cycled for hours, raising money for the two causes.

"I want to say a big thank you to the Dolphin Centre and all the people who took part. People have been very kind and generous and supportive. It was a great day and everyone got together for a good cause."